The runner who had a heart attack at Budapest Marathon can leave hospital care

The 64-year-old man’s life was saved by three physicians who were taking part in the race as well – he can consider himself lucky.

The runner, who had a heart attack during the Budapest Marathon in early October, could leave Semmelweis University Heart and Vascular Center – reports Semmelweis.hu. Péter Herendi fell at the 11th kilometre of the race, on the Pest embankment – he stopped breathing, and his cardiovascular system collapsed. His life was saved by the immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), performed by Dr Letícia Papp, cardiologist, Dr András Bokor, obstetrician and gynaecologist, in cooperation with Dr Gábor Szarvas, trainee paediatrician specialist of Semmelweis University. The marathonist was released from the hospital ten days after his CPR.

Dr Béla Merkely, rector of Semmelweis University and director of the Semmelweis University Heart and Vascular Center, said at his press conference on Wednesday that, after successful cardiopulmonary resuscitation, the ambulance transported the man to the vascular centre, where they could open his blocked coronary with the help of cardiac cath. Although his vascular system collapsed due to atrial fibrillation, the worst early complication of a heart attack, he did not suffer any lasting damage, thanks to the immediate medical help. As Merkely said,

in these cases, the patient only has a chance to survive if someone from the bystanders starts performing CPR.

The physicians used a cardiac cath, which they guided through the artery of his arm and then they cleared the path of the bloodstream and the blood supplies of the cardiac muscles with the help of a special metal net called stent.

The patient is in excellent condition, and there is a great chance he could return to active sports after the necessary medical check-ups and rehabilitation,

said Dr Dávid Becker, deputy director of the vascular centre.

At the press conference, Péter Herendi said thank you to the three doctors who saved his life. By the way, they all completed the rest of the marathon after helping Mr Herendi.

He first decided to run a marathon when his daughter was born 17 years ago, at 47, which he has completed four times since then.

He is doing sports under medical control from the very beginning and lives a healthy lifestyle. He will never run a marathon alone, however, he intends to run with his daughter in relay next year.

The physicians who took part in the aid have been awarded Pro Universitate of Semmelweis University by Dr Merkely at the end of the conference.